Modular shell for disposers and the like

ABSTRACT

The shell includes front and rear sections for assembly about the disposer and separate side panels which are applied by hand and can be selected from a series of different panels to provide variation in at least the appearance of the unit.

United States Patent Mackay et al.

[451 Mar. 14,1972

MODULAR SHELL FOR DISPOSERS AND THE LIKE Frederick G. Mackay, Tarzana; Jerome F. Stratman, Cypress, both of Calif.

The Tappan Company, Mansfield, Ohio Jan. 5, 1970 Inventors:

Assignee:

Filed:

Appl. No.:

US. Cl ..220/4 R, 174/66, 220/DIG. 25 .3651! 11/18, H051: 5/03 Field of Search ..220/3.94, 4 R, DIG. 25;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,052,821 9/1962 3,151,759 10/1964 Dykzeul FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,493,369 7/1967 France ..174/66 Scoville ..220/3.94 X

Primary Examiner-George E. Lowrance Attorney-Oberlin, Maky, Donnelly & Renner [5 7] ABSTRACT The shell includes front and rear sections for assembly about the disposer and separate side panels which are applied by hand and can be selected from a series of different panels to provide variation in at least the appearance of the unit.

3 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMA 14 I972 INVENTORS FREDERICK 6'. MACK/l) JEROME E STRA TMA/V 3%, a ZTTORNEYS MODULAR SHELL FOR DISPOSERS AND THE LIKE This invention relates to a shell of modular construction intended primarily for use as an outer housing about a food waste disposer assembled to a kitchen sink.

More particularly, the type of shell involved enhances the appearance of the unit and preferably contains sound insulating material to minimize the operating noise. On some models, the shell is provided with a pegboard section for hanging cleaning utensils and the like on the disposer, and a light may be added to illuminate thejcabinet storage space usually provided beneath the sink. These additions are not exhaustive, but they do serve to illustrate that there can be significant shell variation not only in styling but also as to mechanical form.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide flexibility in such design respects with a modular or multipart shell certain parts of which are readily interchangeable to alter the style or form of the unit without full replacement.

Another object is to provide a shell of modular construction which can be readily assembled about a disposer without tools and has interchangeable parts or sections which can likewise be installed and removed by hand.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawing setting forth in detail a certain illustrative embodiment of the invention, this being indicative, however, of but one of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawing:

FIG. I is a perspective view of the new modular shell with one section separated;

FIG. 2 is a transverse cross section of the unit approximately at the plane ofthe line 2-2 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an elevation of the shell, partially broken and with a section removed, in assembly with a disposer.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the new shell is made up of four sections or parts which will be referred to as front 10, rear 11, and side panels 12 and 13. The side panels are identical and the front and rear are substantially mirror images in design, except that the latter is formed with an upper depressed portion 14 in which there is an aperture 15 for connection of a dishwasher inlet to the disposer and an approximately centered flanged opening 16 for the drain elbow which provides the outlet discharge for the disposer.

The shell front 10 includes a half top 17, two side half frames l8, l9, and a bottom half 20, with the shell rear formed with corresponding portions designated by like reference numerals primed, and these two sections when brought together as shown forming also the shell top, bottom, and frames at the sides. Both the top pieces l7, l7 and bottom pieces 20, 20' are shaped to provide circular top and bottom openings 21 and 22, and the side frame pieces at the bottom are bowed outwardly as shown at 23 to accommodate the disposer motor diameter.

The side frame halves I8, 18' and 19, 19' carry opposed top and bottom edge projections which together form vertical T shaped rails 24. The complemental pieces of each rail are held together by a flanged metal clip 25 which is forced by hand on and along their web portions, and the shell front and rear are thus locked together by the clips.

Each separately formed side panel l2, 13 has a slight outward curvature as shown, with an inner flange about its periphery, and has a height and width which corresponds substantially to the outer such dimensions of the side frames. Four projecting tabs 26 are formed at the inside of the panel and these carry small metal spring clips 27 to engage over the vertical edges 28 of a side frame near the top and bottom of the same and thereby resiliently hold the panel assembled to the shell front and rear. The installation of each side panel and its removal can easily be accom lished by hand.

The shell parts are prefera ly molded of an impact resistant plastic and it will be clear that the appearance and accessory function of the shell can be drastically altered simply by providing a series of difierent side panels which are interchangeable. Some of the possibilities have been discussed in the foregoing, such as the pegboard section, and there is no real limit on what might be done in the design sense to provide a family of different models of the same basic disposer without any change in the tooling for the shell.

As will be evident from FIG. 3, the shell is necessarily dimensioned to fit a given disposer 29 and is assembled about the same fully to enclose the unit, including the motor. Sound deadening material such as synthetic sponge and the like, not shown, can be placed between the disposer and shell to absorb operating noise if desired.

In any event, the front and rear are interlocked by hand application of the four shell clips, and the side panels are mounted simply by snapping them in place. The side panels obscure the shell clips and rails for a smooth exterior appearance, and it will be appreciated that the substitution of even one could be an effective styling change.

We, therefore, particularly point out and distinctly claim as our invention:

1. A modular shell for enclosing a disposer and the like, comprising generally C-shaped first and second complemental body sections which are adapted to be assembled to form the opposite sides, top and bottom wall sections of the shell, each of said wall sections being provided with inwardly directed flanges along at least one side thereof, said flanges when said body sections are assembled cooperating to define a framed opening at such side of the shell, means for retaining said body sections in assembled relation, a separately formed panel overlying said framed opening, and means for readily securing said panel to said flanges in such applied relation so as to complete the shell enclosure at such side thereof, whereby panels of differing appearance and configuration can be provided for selection therefrom of a particular panel to be used in assembling a shell of given design.

2. A modular shell for a disposer and the like as set forth in claim 1, wherein the means for securing the panel to the first and second sections provides snap-fit mounting of the same on said flanges defining said framed opening.

3. A modular shell for a disposer and the like as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and second body sections further include inwardly directed flanges along the opposite side thereof, said flanges defining a comparable framed opening at such side opposite said first mentioned opening, and a further separate panel similarly applied to said flanges for overlying said further opening. 

1. A modular shell for enclosing a disposer and the like, comprising generally C-shaped first and second complemental body sections which are adapted to be assembled to form the opposite sides, top and bottom wall sections of the shell, each of said wall sections being provided with inwardly directed flanges along at least one side thereof, said flanges when said body sections are assembled cooperating to define a framed opening at such side of the shell, means for retaining said body sections in assembled relation, a separately formed panel overlying said framed opening, and means for readily securing said panel to said flanges in such applied relation so as to complete the shell enclosure at such side thereof, whereby panels of differing appearance and configuration can be provided for selection therefrom of a particular panel to be used in assembling a shell of given design.
 2. A modular shell for a disposer and the like as set forth in claim 1, wherein the means for securing the panel to the first and second sections provides snap-fit mounting of the same on said flanges defining said framed opening.
 3. A modular shell for a disposer and the like as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and second body sections further include inwardly directed flanges along the opposite side thereof, said flanges defining a comparable framed opening at such side opposite said first mentioned opening, and a further separate panel similarly applied to said flanges for overlying said further opening. 